The new year brings an invigorating and exciting feeling of a fresh start
with blank pages to write on and make dreams
and magic happen.

The first week of a new year on my blog always includes a bit of reflection,
The top favorite posts and reflecting on the year that was
while jumping into the new.
And coming later this week, I will be sharing more about that with several friends but
today it is about 2016
and dreams and possibilities for 2017.

I always like to take a quick look back and see what I learned and where the year took me.

There are ups and downs, good and bad as with most years.
But hopefully the good things far outweigh the bad
and you have much to be grateful for.

And you know what?

2016 was full of a lot of good things

And I am grateful for the year that was.

Bloom & Grow

2016 brought travel including to places I had never been
opportunities to grow personally
to grow as a brand and as a blogger
and it brought several opportunities to give back.

It brought family closer with my middle guy moving back this way
a new era with my baby-baby daughter turning 18
and my oldest son deciding to move out of state.
(I'm not so secretly hoping he changes his mind)

It also brought dreams and visions that are just now sprouting.
There were new seeds planted to grow
and rewards from others that have been growing.

Daydreaming

2016 also brought more of those head in the cloud daydreaming ideas.
Which if you have been reading my blog for awhile- you likely know that I
tend to live in that end of my pencil chewing, ponytail twirling
day dreaming kind of world.

I can't help it- I get lost in that land far far away sometimes.

New Possibilities

It brought some amazing new partnerships my way
and strengthened connections I have.

I feel so blessed and grateful to have amazing partnerships with people and companies
who I absolutely adore.
Companies that believe in me and really support me and some of those daydreaming girl ideas.
Never in a million years ever would I have thought that the day I sat down
and wrote my first blog post would be the day that started this amazing journey
and that I would be working and traveling with companies I love.

So don't hesitate to take that first step even if you have no idea where it might go.

Feeling Exposed

It also brought some opportunities that required me to be a little more exposed.
You might remember my blog post the first year I was blogging about What About Bob
about The Opportunity to Sail
And there will be another edition of that coming your way soon... but
with a couple of big stretches for me in 2016-
I pretty much was Bob again
and I felt like someone needed to strap me to the front of the boat so that I could 'sail'.

But with that exposure- I took some chances and did some things I
definitely was not comfortable with.
And you know how they say to get out of your comfort zone?
Well, honestly, some of those really big stretches for me personally
were some of the best of 2016.

And what about 2017?

It is a new year full of blank pages and possibilities.

A chance to write a chapter on those blank pages just waiting to be filled up with good stuff
and a chance to make some magic happen.

And as we start this fresh new year-
I am dreaming about possibilities
setting fresh goals and focusing on working towards them.
Both personally and for French Country Cottage.
I am excited about the partnerships and good things coming this year on my blog
and about some of the behind the scenes stuff that I would really love
to press forward and zoom ahead on... but that I have to learn patience with.
Which is definitely not my strength.
So I am trying to learn practicing patience and letting things grow in the time they need
and reminding myself that baby steps lead to big things.

I am planning to focus on more than just business growth- but also personal.
And making more time for everyday and amazing.

I am going old school with goals.
Meaning-
I am writing them down with a pen and paper- because it always sits closer to the gut with me
when I write something out by hand.
And I am committing to spending an amount of time
each day to focus on them.

And I want to encourage you to do the same with whatever
goals and dreams you are working towards.
Take a few moments to write your goals down
and make a commitment to work towards them each day as well-
even if in just a small way.
If you are moving- even ever so slowly in a direction- it is progress.

I also want to say a huge thank you to all of you.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and say hello
and for always bringing such wonderful good energy to my blog.
Without all of you-this blog wouldn't be what it is today and I would be talking to myself...
which I do talk to myself often...
but you are much more fun to talk with.
:)
I had no idea the incredible friendships and connections that this blog would bring to my life
and I am so grateful for that and for you being here.

And a big welcome and hello 2017.

I am excited for you and the fresh potential and possibilities
and new wonderful adventures.

I have a feeling 2017 is going to be awesome. I always love reading your blog, it pops up in my inbox late at night here in France and it's usually the last thing I look at before switching off and going to bed and it's always so relaxing and pretty. A great way to end any day. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2017 xx

House Hunters International today featured an ancient stone French country estate that had been renovated by the owners. I immediately thought of you. Though they made some lovely renovations,they could clearly have benefited from your style expertise. They modernized the kitchen and bathrooms, converting an antique cabinet into a bowl sink. some of the touches were distinctly not country friend I'll try to find a link and send it to you. The countryside was beautiful and they had an herb garden and beautiful outdoor area full of flowers. Apparently, your Exquisite taste has spoiled me for all others. ;)

I have so enjoyed reading this post....you always write from the heart and your actions are also from the bottom of your heart. You not only bring beauty to us visually, you do emotionally. Looking forward to seeing your blank pages bloom! Happy New Year!

Oh, those beautiful flowers! The hydrangeas! SO beautiful! Sometimes I think that I only read the blogs that I do for the eye candy! I do enjoy them for other things, but I appreciate so much the beautiful photographs they share. Yours are always at the top of the list in quality.

Well, yes, a new year is beginning. What shall I do with it? What opportunities will come to me and will I be able to discern clearly which ones to take advantage of? I am ever hopeful for more solitude, more creativity and more music in my life this next year. And I am aware that I need to make space in my mind and heart and in my environment for those things to present themselves. As well, I need to practice paying attention to the present and what it is showing me--not overlooking potentially important clues. SO...I want to wish the happiest, most fruitful --and don't forget FUN--2017 for all of us!